Metallic fabric for beds or couches.



W. J. GROTENHUIS.

METALLIC FABRIC FOR BEDS OR COUGHES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29. 1909.

1,077,705. Patented NOv.4,1913.)

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WILLIAM J. GROTENHUIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN MENTS, TO KIN NEY-ROME COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

METALLIC FABRIC FOR BEDS OR COUCHES.

Application filed November 23, 1909.

' gitudinal slats and .are only attached to the outer two longitudinal slats at'each side of the H bed or couch. In this Way the longitudinal slats are all free to move or slide relative to the transverse slats, except the outer two slats at each side of the fabric. By attaching each end of the transverse slats to more than one longitudinal slat, sagging of the fabric and inward lateral displacement of the sides of the fabric is prevented. If the transverse slats are connected at each end to pull only on one longitudinal slat, then the sides of the fabric are drawn inward when weight is imposed thereon; and in a short period the fabric will sag, but with the transverse slats connected at each end to pull on a plnrality of longitudinal slats, such distortion of the fabric, owing, to the combined strength of the united outside slats, is prevented or greatly reduced. The slats are all of resilient metal, and, being interwoven, are caused to firmlyengage where they contact with each other. This effectually prevents rattle or jingle, without interfering with the resilient and other desirable qualities of the fabric.

To provide a satisfactory and noiseless fabric for beds and couches, as well as one that is comfortable and novel in construetion and mode of ,operation. thus insuring bitter results than heretofore, is the princif p 1 object of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 is a plan ofva bed or couch having a fabric embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale,'of a portion of said fabric.

As thus illustrated, my invention comprises a ladder-frame having the outer longitudinal slats 'A, of suitable resilient metal,

the other or intermediatelongitudinal slats Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. a, rare. Serial No. 530,428.

A, and the cross or transverse slats B. The ends of the slats A and A have helical springs C that connect with the end bars D of the bed or couch frame. Each slat B has its opposite ends attached by rivets a to the outer two slats A at each side of the fabric.

This prevents inward displacement of the sides of the fabric, when weight is thrown thereon, which would be the case if the slats B were only connected to pull on one slat A at each end. By, attaching each end of the slats B to a plurality of slats A, as shown, a stiffening effect is obtained which prevents undue sagging of the slats B when weight is thrown on the fabric. F urther- -more, the slats A have the additional and distinct function of serving to ho-ld'the cross slats B in spaced relation. The slats B are interwoven with the inner longitudinal slats E, so that each slat B passes under one slat E and then over the next; and the slats A and A also passfirst over one slat B and then under the next. In this way the slats engage each, other very firmly, without rattle or jingle, thus insuring a noiseless fabric. As all except the outermost two slats A and A at each side of the fabric are free to slide or move relatively to the slats B, it follows that the resiliency and other requisite qualities of the fabric are in no way im' paired by the use of cross slats. Each slat E is free to slide endwise on,the ladderframe to equalize the tension of the springs at opposite ends thereof. Thus the sliding self-adjustment of the slats E is on cross members B which are bodily movable only in unison. The success of the arrangement is, I believe, very largely due to the fact that the cross slats, although not connected at each end to pull only on one side slat,

are nevertheless adapted to permit endwise movement of a requisite number of the longitudinal slats. These slats B are, as one way of insuring the desired result, secured at. each end to aplurality of slats, but are left free or unattached at their middle or intermediate portions.

With the construction shown and de scribed, the fabric has a stiff frame at each side thereof, but is loose at the center.

Thus the intermediate members E are free to 'move endwise independently of each other, to some extent. The loose construction at. the center, with the stiff formation at the sides, in combination with the springs that are individual to the longitudinal members, gives a satisfactory resiliency and pliability to the fabric, I'find, withoutloss of stability atthe sides thereof. The result is different, obviously, from What would be true if the slats were all riveted together, or if the slats were arranged as shown but without the springs, thereafter or with springs only-at one end of the fabric. In either case there would be no independent shift or action on the part of the longitudi; nal slats, as described, to equalize the spring tension at opposite ends thereof, in a fabric that does not need to be attached or supported-at its side edges. The inter-weaving of the slats prevents rattle or jingling, even withthe loose formation, but this, of course, can be prevented in other ways. A. weight 'oh the fabric will distort it, and there will be a relative shift of the slats at'the center;

but whenthe weight is removed the fabric springs back into normal condition, the

springs C being of uniform strength or ten-" sion. As I say, therefore, the loose construction alone will not give the desired results, nor will the springs do the work without the loose formation of the slats. It requires the two things together to 'do this, and the best results are obtained when the stiff frames are used at the sides of the fabric, or when the cross slats are in some way connected to pull on more than one longitudinal slat at each end.

' It will be seen that the cross slats B combine with the outer longitudinal slats A to form a springy or resilient "ladder frame,-

1 form of a ladder.

that is to say, a frame having the general The sides of the ladder frame are tied together and spaced apart by the cross members, and the loose or inner longitudinal members E are held in place between the side members A by the springs, whereby each member E has free and independent endwise shift on said cross members. As shown, the ladder frame which is thus made an essential element of the fabric has each side formed by two slats, which are spaced apart to form a stiffening selvage for the fabric. This results, of course, in a fabric which, broadly considered, has one or more cross members provided between the ends thereof with means for preventing lateral displacement of portions of the fabric relative to each other in the plane thereof. lhis lateral spacing apart of longitudinal slats in a fabric composed of a ladder frame and endwise sliding longitudinal members may, of course, be changed or modified, for different purposes and in various ways, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

It is an important consideration that the members E are connected at bothends by means of springs, as by this arrangement, involving the opposition of springs to each other,each of said members is free to slide.

endwise, in either direction, on the ladder frame, thus insuring the desired novel .eii'ect and high degree of resiliency. For a similar reason it is important and essential that the ladder frame be not tied against'bodily end- 'wise shift, in either direction, but held only by springs at each end.

What I claim and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is':

, 1. A bed frame and resilient metal fabric stretched thereon, comprising two sets of longitudinally opposed springs for uniting the opposite ends of the fabric with the bed frame, and means whereby the transverse action of the fabric, and also the longitudinal action thereof, are sustained entirely by the said springs, including longitudinal members haying free and unlimited sliding self-adjustment on the fabric to equalize the tension of the springs at opposite ends thereof, said means comprising a ladder-frame upon the cross members of which the said longitudinal members slide endwise independently of each other.

2. A bed frame and resilient metal fabric stretched thereon, comprising two sets of longitudinally opposed springs for, uniting the opposite ends of the fabric with the bed frame, and means whereby the transverse action of the fabric, and also the longitudinal action thereof, are sustained entirely by the said springs, including longitudinal members having free and unlimited sliding self-adjustment on the fabric to equalize the tension of the'springs at opposite ends thereof, said fabric having a trussed formation therein to reduce the distortion of the fabric resulting from the Said transverse action.

thereof.

3. A bed frame and resilient metal fabric stretched thereon, comprisingtwo sets of longitudinally opposed springs for uniting the opposite ends of the fabric with the bed frame, and means whereby the transverse action of the fabric, and also the longitudinal action thereof, are sustained entirely by the said springs, including longitudinal members having free and unlimited sliding self-adjustmenton. the fabric to equaiize the tension of the springs at opposite ends there of, said springs being independent of each other to provide individual tension for said longitudinal members and prevent interference between them.

4. A bed frame and resilient metal fabric stretched thereon, comprising two sets of longitudinally opposed springs for uniting the opposite ends of the fabric with the bed frame, and means whereby the transverse action of the fabric, and also the longitud self-adjustment on the fabric to equalize the tension of the springs at opposite ends there- Copies of this patentmeyhe obtained for two or more of which are proyided withmeansfor holding inner longitudinal portions of the fabric against lateral displacement.

5. A bed frame and resilient metal fabric stretched thereon, comprising two 'sets of longitudinally opposed springs for uniting the opposite ends of the fabric with the bed frame, and means whereby the transverse action of the fabric, and also the longitudinal action thereof, are sustained entirely by -the said springs, including longitudinal members having free and unlimited sliding self-adjustment on the fabric to equalize the tension'of the springs at opposite ends thereupon the cross mem ers of whichthe said longitudinal members slide endwise independently of each other, and other longitudinal members held by said crossmembers against endwise movement thereon, serving to hold the cross members in spaced relation.

' Signed by me at Chicago, Illinois, this Witnesses:

WM. B. DURMON, ELLEN H. CLEGG.

five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O.

of, said-means com rising a ladder-frame 

